Flower Care Tips

Flower Care Tips While chemical preservatives and floral foam are helpful in keeping flowers fresh, there are many natural alternatives to help your bouquet live a full life. And they're all as close as your kitchen cupboard!

Starting Off When arranging or rearranging, re-cut the stems diagonally using a knife or garden shears. Hold the stem under a steady flow of lukewarm water while cutting. Insert each flower separately into a vase or container filled with room-temperature water. Dip rose stems into peppermint oil before placing them into water.

Extending the Life of Your Bouquet Add a few foxglove stalks around the existing flowers. Add a tablespoon of white vinegar to the water for anemones, lilies, and gladioli. Drop a pinch of salt into the water for roses, snapdragons and violets. Mix two teaspoons of sugar or lemonade to water containing asters and delphiniums. Drop a penny into a vase filled with tulips. Reduce murky water by adding one aspirin tablet. Spray a fine mist on leaves and blossoms during hot-weather periods. Place your arrangement in a temperate location, away from direct sunlight and electrical appliances. Avoid particularly humid or drafty areas. Revitalizing Your Bouquet Dip the flower stems into a cup of vodka or gin for up to 5 seconds, then replace into fresh water. Immerse the whole flower ?stems and blossoms ?into cool water for no more than 15 minutes. If only the blooms are drooping, use a pin to prick the stem just beneath the flower.